"I just want to say sorry to the fans, the players and staff," said Hodgkiss.

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Hodgkiss apologises live on BBC radio

"It was a little error in positioning, I've pulled at his shirt half-heartedly, the lad's made the most of it and I've seen red."

Hodgkiss committed his foul on Aldershot winger Andre McCollin barely a minute into the second half.

Brett Williams tucked away the resulting penalty, but rather than take the proverbial early shower, the Harriers summer signing instead opted to make his way to the press box, publicly expressing the full measure of his penitence to commentator Steve Miller.

"It's the first time I've been sent off in my career," added Hodgkiss. "It was a little bit immature from myself and I'm disappointed.

"If I had put someone in the stand and I had deserved the red card, I could understand it more. But I've just got to make sure it never happens again."

To cap a fraught evening for the Harriers, who remain 11th in the table, having missed the chance to go level on points with fifth-placed Halifax Town in the play-off zone, manager Gary Whild revealed the full extent of their financial worries after the game.

Harriers striker Michael Gash played a big part in last season's run to the FA Cup fourth round

After letting midfielder Josh O'Keefe and Jasbir Singh go out on loan, Harriers boss Whild has also been told that to further reduce the wage bill.

"The script has changed a bit," Whild told BBC Hereford & Worcester. "That's where we are.

"We can't afford the likes of Michael Gash, so we need to look to get him out somewhere and get him fixed up.

"The main thing is making sure the lads who are here are getting paid.

"Hopefully, over the next 24 to 48 hours, something might happen. There's one or two clubs interested, although his wife is due to have a baby any day now which also has to be taken into consideration. Hopefully we can get something sorted out."